In case you’re searching for another Osaka journey information, you’ve simply landed on the precise web page. Japan skilled, La Carmina, shares her finest ideas and recommendation for exploring the extra underground facet of Osaka.
Solely three hours from Tokyo by bullet practice, Osaka is a turbo-charged setting for a protracted weekend getaway. Though it’s value seeing historic landmarks equivalent to Osaka Fortress, vacationers shouldn’t miss out on exploring the underground tradition for another perspective of the town. As an illustration, Osaka is residence to a gritty and raucous music scene that’s matched solely by its ingesting holes — the place the employees has feathered and dyed hair, the audio system blast Def Leppard, and the partitions are adorned with grinning skulls.
I’ve been writing about Japan and visiting Osaka for effectively over a decade on my La Carmina travel blog. Listed below are a few of my favourite subculture hangouts within the metropolis, which I hope you’ll get to take a look at in your subsequent journey.
See additionally: A day in Osaka, Japan
Osaka purchasing information
Let’s begin off this different Osaka journey information with just a few classic, indie and distinctive purchasing spots in Osaka.
Shinsaibashi
Shinsaibashi’s Purchasing Arcade is a bustling treasure hunt: search for indie and classic boutiques, equivalent to Harmful Nude, amidst the mass retailers. Close by Amerikamura is the cultural equal of Tokyo’s Harajuku, with Goths, punks and rockers hanging out in Triangle Park (here’s a map of the most effective shops). Poke your head by way of the beaded curtains for cyber vogue, tarot playing cards and Nineteen Eighties toys.
EST Middle
A stone’s throw from Umeda Station, EST is a younger girls’s “purchasing city with dream and pleasure.” The boutiques lure you in with frantic J-pop music and the stylish outfits seen in Cutie and ViVi magazines. If the hundred-plus indie and different outlets aren’t sufficient, throughout the road is Hep Five, a purchasing and leisure megalopolis with a pink Ferris wheel.
Sightseeing in Osaka
Listed below are just a few extra distinctive sights to go to in Osaka.
Pokemon Middle
Imagine it or not, the Pokemon Center is among the prime vacationer sights in all of Japan. The gargantuan Umeda, Osaka retailer is stocked with each character possible. Kids in Pikachu hats will remind you that the model’s motto is “gotta catch em all,” so convey your pockets.
Kaiyukan Aquarium
Kaiyukan is among the largest aquariums on the planet and a household favourite. Younger Osaka resident Takumi Tanaka reminisces on his childhood visits. “It’s at all times enjoyable to see the penguins and dolphins enjoying, however my favourite factor to do is go to the Floating Jellyfish tanks. It’s so stress-free to observe the intertwining tendrils,” he says. “Additionally I really like to observe the employees feed the ocean otters, who play like kids.”
Osaka Fortress
Tanaka additionally encourages first-timers to go to the historic Osaka Fortress, particularly throughout the cherry blossom season. “There are at all times festivals and gatherings within the lovely park, and little stalls that promote conventional meals like takoyaki. It’s enjoyable to only sit on the benches and watch individuals go by,” says Tanaka.
Associated tour: Guided Walking Tour around Osaka Castle
Bars and Nightlife in Osaka
What’s an Osaka journey information with no checklist of the most effective bars and nightlife?
Associated tour: Osaka: Nightlife Experience
Bar Midian
Followers of Visible Kei/J-rockers Blood have been heartbroken when the group disbanded. However like a Goth Elvis, vocalist Fu-ki is alive and ominously wielding an ice decide behind the counter of his Bar Midian.
The Umeda dive is near-impossible to search out, so I recommend finding out these detailed instructions on my La Carmina Blog. Midian’s decor is a heavy steel wet-dream: a dripping candle sits in a Dracula wine bottle; an axe rests within the umbrella stand. That evening, we sat with tattooed rockers who headbanged to Black Sabbath movies and scandalized us with their boy-on-boy antics.
Drinks are 500 yen and have names equivalent to Black Rose and Devil. Fu-ki mixes a powerful cocktail and can gladly make you a particular one, or pour you a Belgian Devil Beer. He’s additionally recognized to choose up the tab for newcomers, particularly if you happen to bond over music — so don’t overlook to ask him about his Motley Crue cowl band.
Bar Moonwalk
When steel and rock bands tour Osaka, they incessantly cease by Moonwalk, a bar that pumps Marilyn Manson and Japanese glam steel to a younger, heavily-pierced crowd.
My journey comrade and I had an instantaneous crush on our eyeliner-smeared server Kouta, who performs bass in a brand new Visible Kei band. The fantasy light a bit when he went into the kitchen to prepare dinner our orders: tasty 315 yen plates of Korean fried rice and lotus pork muffins. There’s a 400 yen cowl cost, however the drink menu — which has over 300 choices for 200 yen every – greater than makes up for it. Obtained a candy tooth? Strive the raspberry yogurt cocktail. Extra of a hardcore sort? Go for the brandy ginger mixer. And don’t be stunned if the charming bartender brings over free pictures.
Bar Rock Rock
Alice Cooper. Dangerous Faith. Motley Crue. Metallica. They’re among the many lots of of famed faces who’ve raised hell at Rock Rock for the reason that bar opened in 1995, abandoning autographed images and tales of destruction.
The ambiance jogs my memory of a very chill jazz membership, solely with screamo vocals. The bar performs something from punk to steel and has occasions all year long that herald throngs of rock followers. These embrace particular DJ nights equivalent to Hell’s Bells (AC/DC), Emotion is Useless (emo) and the self-explanatory Loud & Heavy.
The menu is a typical collection of pizzas, pastas and salads (600-800 yen). The drinks are requirements, plus a collection of fruity cocktails (500-800 yen). A bit pricy, however value it once they’re poured by superstar bartender “Noxl Rose.”
Meals in Osaka
Take your tastebuds on an journey.
See additionally: Japanese Pork Chop in Downtown Osaka
Okonomiyaki
Non-Japanese audio system, memorize the phrase “okonomiyaki.” It’s a tragedy if you happen to go away with out tasting the grilled savory pancake (often with seafood, and topped with bonito flakes and brown sauce) that’s Kansai’s soul meals. Search for household eating places equivalent to Tengu, the place recipes are handed down from a number of generations.
Takoyaki
Takoyaki — grilled octopus balls made out of pouring batter into molds — are one other Osaka specialty. Each main avenue has a stand the place you should buy a dozen for 500 yen. Twists on the unique embrace egg or melted cheese toppings, and takoyaki stuffed in a crepe. However nothing beats mom-and-pop outlets, equivalent to Tako Home at Umeda station, the place a shy grandma oversees the cooking.
Yuzu (citrus fruit)
Yuzu is a divine mating between a lemon and a tangerine. In Osaka, you’ll discover the flavour in seemingly each sort of dish: sorbet, sake, shochu. The fruit isn’t discovered recent outdoors of Japan, so don’t hesitate to gorge on it at each meal.
Associated tour: Eat Like a Local Street Food Tour
Day Journeys from Osaka
If you wish to escape from Osaka for a day, try just a few of those close by locations.
Kobe
Take a jaunt to Kobe to discover its excellent parks, zoo, and harbor. For a stroll on the darkish facet, go to Gothic / fetish / occult / Satanic Bar Idea. The pleasant girls behind the nail-spiked bar will chat with you and carry out darkish rituals, together with shibari or rope bondage demonstrations.
Nara
Get away from the grit with a day journey to Nara, solely an hour away by subway. The cultural capital dazzles with six Buddhist temples, a Shinto shrine and the Imperial Place. However the greatest thrill, for vacationers of all ages, is petting the sacred deer that roam in Nara Park.
Associated tour: From Kyoto or Osaka: Private Walking Tour through Nara
Kyoto
Kyoto is positioned north of Osaka, and residential to 1000’s of well-preserved locations of worship equivalent to Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion). First constructed within the 14th century, the three-story gilded construction holds the Buddha’s ashes and is about in an beautiful backyard with a mirror pond.
Associated tour: From Osaka: Kyoto Top Highlights Day Trip
